The Keystone Diabetic Kids Camp is held each June to help children cope with what can be a lonely and isolating diagnosis. Diabetes is widely misunderstood and can be frustrating and scary, particularly for children who may know few or no other people their age with diabetes.

Colleen Nguyen, a volunteer and diabetes camp veteran, said, “Diabetes camp gives kids a place to connect with people their own age dealing with the same problems, as well as access to role models who have lived a bit longer with diabetes. It’s all about the connections, and it can make all the difference.”

While most diabetes-related fundraisers give money to organizations like JDRF and the ADA, Nguyen said diabetes camps are often left behind.

“Money has been a major struggle for many years,” Nguyen said. “We are often overlooked because we do not promise a cure. However, we do just as much if not more to impact the quality of life of people living with type 1 diabetes. Social programs such as this are so important and so underrated.”

Nguyen had confided to Al Kominski, Al’s of Hampden owner, about the Camp’s financial struggles, and Kominski came up with the beer-as-fundraiser idea.

“This is probably the most fantastic blueberry beer we’ve ever made, and we couldn’t think of a better way to sell it than to help someone out,” said Kominski.

A special tasting was held on Nov. 14, which is World Diabetes Day, to introduce the beer and help start a word-of-mouth campaign. Blue is the color designated to spread awareness about diabetes, and Kominksi said about brewing a blueberry beer in conjunction with the cause, “Everything just worked out the way it’s supposed to.”

The beer itself is a version of Pizza Boy Brewing Co.’s original Royal Tannin Bomb! sour ale. Brewer Terry Hawbaker said the beer went through full fermentation in stainless steel barrels then was aged in both red and white wine barrels, where brett (a type of yeast) was added. One of the barrels also received a double dose of blueberries to amp up the flavor, Hawbaker said.

Yet unnamed, the beer will be on tap by Dec. 1 and until it lasts. Throughout the entire month of December, Kominski said 99.9% of the proceeds will go directly to benefit the Keystone Diabetic Kids Camp.

The beer will be designated as a sour ale at 5.3% ABV and sold in chalices, as well as 1- and 2-L growlers. Ask for the blueberry sour or “dollars for diabetes.”